A Review of Internet-Based Communication Research in China

Abstract

Since China officially gained access to the Internet in 1994, Internet-based communication has gradually become the dominant form of communication within Chinese society and between China and the international community. Understanding the Internet and its impact on China is not only a key to understanding modern China and its relationship with the world, but also a powerful complement to the classical topics of communication and an indispensable observation on new developments. Combing through the transformation of Internet-based communication research in China, this paper summarizes the achievements in five key areas, reflects on the failures, and makes a call to return to the core relationship between communication and people.